Death Penalty Sought Against 2 In Party Death

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. - The Douglas County district attorney is seeking the death penalty for two teenagers accused in the beating death of another teen.

District Attorney David McDade filed penalty notices for Benjamin Boykins and Tracen Franklin on Monday, the same day the victim would have turned 19.

Boykins and Franklin are two of four accused of killing Bobby Tillman at a Douglasville party last fall. It is unclear why the other suspects, Horace Damon Coleman and Quantez Devonta Mallory, only face a life sentence if convicted.

Deputies said a small gathering swelled to a large house party on a Saturday night in November. Witnesses told police a group of girls were fighting, and one of the suspects was hit. He then vowed to hit the next man he saw, which ended up being Tillman.

Others joined in, punching and stomping on Tillman, deputies said. The county coroner said Tillman died of blunt force trauma to the head and chest.

McDade originally made an offer to avoid the death penalty against the suspects in exchange for a guilty plea. Boykins' attorney said his client would take the deal, but he backed out at the last minute. The others didn't respond.